The journey of Jayant Haritsa began in Bangalore, a city that would later become India’s technology capital. His early education laid a strong intellectual foundation. He completed his SSLC from Vijaya High School, Jayanagar, followed by Pre-University education in Science at National College, Basavanagudi—institutions known for nurturing academic discipline and curiosity.
From an early age, Jayant Haritsa demonstrated a deep analytical mindset and a fascination with systems, logic, and problem-solving—traits that would later define his research career.
Jayant Haritsa: Engineering Excellence at IIT Madras
Jayant Haritsa pursued his undergraduate studies at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, earning a B.Tech in Electronics (Electrical Engineering). IIT Madras, one of India’s most prestigious engineering institutions, played a transformative role in sharpening his technical depth and research orientation.
The rigorous academic environment and exposure to complex engineering systems inspired him to explore computing at a deeper, more theoretical level—leading him to transition from electronics to computer science.
Advanced Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
To further his academic aspirations, Jayant Haritsa moved to the United States, enrolling at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, one of the world’s leading centers for database research. There, he earned his Master’s and PhD in Computer Science, immersing himself in cutting-edge research on database engines, query optimization, and system performance.
This period marked a defining chapter in his life. His doctoral work not only established him as a serious researcher but also shaped the intellectual direction of his future contributions—bridging theory, algorithms, and real-world system design.
Jayant Haritsa: Early Research Career and Global Exposure
After completing his PhD, Jayant Haritsa served as a Research Fellow at the Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland, College Park. This postdoctoral experience exposed him to interdisciplinary systems research and reinforced his belief that impactful computer science must connect rigorous theory with practical implementation.
This global exposure enriched his academic perspective and prepared him for leadership roles in one of India’s premier research institutions.
A Distinguished Career at the Indian Institute of Science
Jayant Haritsa joined the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, where he would go on to build a legendary academic career. Today, he is a Senior Professor with joint appointments in the Department of Computational and Data Sciences (CDS) and the Department of Computer Science and Automation (CSA).
Over the years, Jayant Haritsa has played a central role in strengthening IISc’s global reputation in computer science. He also served as Chairman of the CSA Department, guiding academic strategy, research priorities, and faculty development.
Pioneering Contributions to Database Systems
At the core of Jayant Haritsa’s legacy lies his groundbreaking work in Database Systems—the backbone of modern enterprise, cloud, and data-driven applications.
His research spans:
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Database engine architecture and design
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Query processing and optimization
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Performance modeling and benchmarking
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Transaction processing and decision-support systems
What sets Jayant Haritsa apart is his role as a problem-definer—identifying fundamental limitations in existing systems and proposing innovative, scalable solutions.
Picasso: A Landmark Software Contribution
One of the most influential contributions of Jayant Haritsa is Picasso, a powerful visualization tool for database query optimizers. Designed and developed at IISc, Picasso enables systematic exploration and understanding of how query optimizers behave under varying conditions.
The tool gained international recognition:
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Adopted by leading database vendors and top academic institutions
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Used globally as a pedagogical and research resource
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Awarded Best Demonstration at VLDB 2010, one of the world’s premier database conferences
Picasso stands as a rare example of academic research translating directly into global industrial and educational impact.
Expanding Horizons: From Classical Databases to Quantum Computing
Never confined to past success, Jayant Haritsa continues to push research frontiers. In recent years (2024–2025), his work has extended into quantum computing and its integration with database engines, exploring how emerging computational paradigms can revolutionize data retrieval and processing efficiency.
This forward-looking approach reflects his enduring relevance in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Global Professional Leadership
Beyond research, Jayant Haritsa has played a pivotal role in shaping the global computer science community. His leadership positions include:
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President, ACM India Council
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General Co-Chair, ACM SIGMOD/PODS 2026, one of the most prestigious conferences in database research
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Program Co-Chair, VLDB 2016 (New Delhi)
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Program Co-Chair, ICDE 2010 (Los Angeles)
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Tutorial Co-Chair, WWW 2010
He has also served on editorial boards of leading journals such as IEEE TKDE, VLDB Journal, and several Springer publications—helping define global research standards.
Jayant Haritsa: Honors, Awards, and Global Recognition
The excellence of Jayant Haritsa has been recognized by some of the highest honors in science and engineering:
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Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (2009) – India’s most prestigious science award
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Infosys Prize in Engineering and Computer Science (2014)
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ACM Fellow (2015)
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IEEE Fellow (2013)
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Asian Scientist 100 (2016)
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Distinguished Alumnus, IIT Madras
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Fellow of INAE, NASI, and other national academies